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Navigating the Cultural Minefield – Harvard Business Review

I am always looking for resources for understanding and interpreting culture and cultures. Sometimes the resources come from anthropology or sociology; sometimes from comparative religions and worldviews. This article and the corresponding Cultural Map come from the world of business.

The same eight factors apply to other areas of cross-cultural relationships and work. In fact, I can see applications both for my international travel and for my ministry in a multi-ethnic, multi-national congregation here at home.

One area that I find myself praying about a lot that is not explicitly discussed in this article, is applying these eight management skills across the spectrum of age. I find that I lead and persuade differently than I do with seniors. Sometimes, I am able to read the map–sometimes, I am still learning to do so. The point is, I am glad to have another resource to draw from.